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The Merchant of Venice

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THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
He stuck them up before the fulsome ewes, Who, then conceiving, did in eaning time Fall parti-colour’d lambs, and those were Jacob’s. This was a way to thrive, and he was blest; And thrift is blessing, if men steal it not.
ANTONIO. This was a venture, sir, that Jacob serv’d for; A thing not in his power to bring to pass, But sway’d and fashion’d by the hand of heaven. Was this inserted to make interest good? Or is your gold and silver ewes and rams?
SHYLOCK. I cannot tell; I make it breed as fast. But note me, signior.
ANTONIO. Mark you this, Bassanio, The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart. O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!
SHYLOCK. Three thousand ducats; ‘tis a good round sum. Three months from twelve; then let me see the rate.
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WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
ANTONIO. Well, Shylock, shall we be beholding to you?
SHYLOCK. Signior Antonio, many a time and oft In the Rialto you have rated me About my moneys and my usances; Still have I borne it with a patient shrug, For suff’rance is the badge of all our tribe; You call me misbeliever, cut-throat dog, And spet upon my Jewish gaberdine, And all for use of that which is mine own. Well then, it now appears you need my help; Go to, then; you come to me, and you say ‘Shylock, we would have moneys.’ You say so: You that did void your rheum upon my beard, And foot me as you spurn a stranger cur Over your threshold; moneys is your suit. What should I say to you? Should I not say ‘Hath a dog money? Is it possible A cur can lend three thousand ducats?’ Or Shall I bend low and, in a bondman’s key, With bated breath and whisp’ring humbleness, Say this: – ‘Fair sir, you spit on me on Wednesday last; You spurn’d me such a day; another time You call’d me dog; and for these courtesies I’ll lend you thus much moneys?’
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THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
ANTONIO. I am as like to call thee so again, To spet on thee again, to spurn thee too. If thou wilt lend this money, lend it not As to thy friends, – for when did friendship take A breed for barren metal of his friend? – But lend it rather to thine enemy; Who if he break thou mayst with better face Exact the penalty.
SHYLOCK. Why, look you, how you storm! I would be friends with you, and have your love, Forget the shames that you have stain’d me with, Supply your present wants, and take no doit Of usance for my moneys, and you’ll not hear me: This is kind I offer.
BASSANIO. This were kindness.
SHYLOCK. This kindness will I show. Go with me to a notary, seal me there Your single bond; and, in a merry sport, If you repay me not on such a day, In such a place, such sum or sums as are Express’d in the condition, let the forfeit Be nominated for an equal pound
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WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Of your fair fl esh, to be cut off and taken In what part of your body pleaseth me.
ANTONIO. Content, in faith; I’ll seal to such a bond, And say there is much kindness in the Jew.
BASSANIO. You shall not seal to such a bond for me; I’ll rather dwell in my necessity.
ANTONIO. Why, fear not, man; I will not forfeit it; Within these two months, that’s a month before This bond expires, I do expect return Of thrice three times the value of this bond.
SHYLOCK. O father Abram, what these Christians are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect The thoughts of others. Pray you, tell me this; If he should break his day, what should I gain By the exaction of the forfeiture? A pound of man’s fl esh, taken from a man, Is not so estimable, profi table neither, As fl esh of muttons, beefs, or goats. I say, To buy his favour, I extend this friendship; If he will take it, so; if not, adieu; And, for my love, I pray you wrong me not.
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THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
ANTONIO. Yes, Shylock, I will seal unto this bond.
SHYLOCK. Then meet me forthwith at the notary’s; Give him direction for this merry bond, And I will go and purse the ducats straight, See to my house, left in the fearful guard Of an unthrifty knave, and presently I’ll be with you.
ANTONIO. Hie thee, gentle Jew.
[Exit SHYLOCK]
This Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.
BASSANIO. I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.
ANTONIO. Come on; in this there can be no dismay; My ships come home a month before the day.
[Exeunt]
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ACT II
SCENE I
Belmont. A room in PORTIA’s house
[Flourish of cornets. Enter the PRINCE of MOROCCO,
and his Followers; PORTIA, NERISSA,
and Others of her train.]
PRINCE OF MOROCCO. Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadow’d livery of the burnish’d sun, To whom I am a neighbour, and near bred. Bring me the fairest creature northward born, Where Phoebus’ fi re scarce thaws the icicles, And let us make incision for your love To prove whose blood is reddest, his or mine. I tell thee, lady, this aspect of mine Hath fear’d the valiant; by my love, I swear The best-regarded virgins of our clime Have lov’d it too. I would not change this hue, Except to steal your thoughts, my gentle queen.
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WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
PORTIA. In terms of choice I am not solely led By nice direction of a maiden’s eyes; Besides, the lottery of my destiny Bars me the right of voluntary choosing; But, if my father had not scanted me And hedg’d me by his wit, to yield myself His wife who wins me by that means I told you, Yourself, renowned Prince, then stood as fair As any comer I have look’d on yet For my affection.
PRINCE OF MOROCCO. Even for that I thank you: Therefore, I pray you, lead me to the caskets To try my fortune. By this scimitar, – That slew the Sophy and a Persian prince, That won three fi elds of Sultan Solyman, – I would o’erstare the sternest eyes that look, Outbrave the heart most daring on the earth, Pluck the young sucking cubs from the she-bear, Yea, mock the lion when he roars for prey, To win thee, lady. But, alas the while! If Hercules and Lichas play at dice Which is the better man, the greater throw May turn by fortune from the weaker hand: So is Alcides beaten by his page; And so may I, blind Fortune leading me,
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